this book was so so so perfectly written. i love the way aiden thomas wrote the internal vs external conflict by having julian confront yadriel's ideas of what makes him a "real boy"; whether he is trying to become a brujo because he wants his family to see him as a real boy or because he needs that validation to see himself as a real boy. it's perfectly executed, and it made me bawl like a little baby. also maritza is literally me right down to the pink hair. and she's gay. can't change my mind.